Battle Axe

Battle Axe

Details from the Brewer

ABV: 8.8%
IBU: 80
OG: 21P
FG: 5P

The axe drops in fall. Battle Axe is a supercharged ESB. It’s very strong and very balanced. English malt provides a caramelized sweetness on the front end and the American hops provide a full citrus/fruit finish. As big and bold as it is, it’s very easy to drink – deceptively so. Cause this imperial logs in at 8% ABV, just have one and you are set. Immediately. Any more than that and be ready for battle.

Review

Aroma – 10/12

Resin
and piney hop character are prominent as a medium-high level. Some caramel, bread crust, and sweet malt
aroma are also featured at a similar intensity.
A touch of alcohol peaks through as well. Clean fermentation character.

Appearance – 3/3

Pours a deep amber,
with bits of copper color. Fine tan
bubbles compose a thin layer of head, that sticks around with average
retention. Decent lacing for a high abv
beer. Great clarity, throughout the
entire can.

Flavor – 15/20

Starts with a
resinous, earthy, piney hop character, that is quickly joined with a caramel
and grainy malt note. All of these
flavors are prominent at a medium-high level.
Secondary orange citrus and floral hop flavors appear in the
mid-taste. Some deeper bready malt
character as well at a low-medium intensity.
The beer is sweet, but somewhere north of a moderate sweetness and not
cloying. On the finish, a touch of
pepper comes out as the malt fades. The
finish is interestingly dry. Balance is
equally favoring malt and hops. Subtle
red apple-like fermentation esters.

Mouthfeel – 5/5

A medium carbonation
hits the front of the mouth. Body is
medium high with a slight oily texture.
Some creaminess. Decent alcohol
warmth in the throat on the finish.

Overall Impression – 7/10

This imperial red drinks a lot easier than it should, and packs some nice flavors. The hop character here is spot on for the style. I don’t mind the bitterness where it’s at, but I would like a bit more malt character to last the finish. As it warmed, I found the slight peppery character on the finish to be a bit distracting. I’m not sure if it’s coming from the hops, or fermentation.

Rating – 40/50

In the context of an “American Strong Ale” this really nails most of the marks to contend with arrogant bastard. That said, if Velvet Hammer from Peticolas was available, I think I’d reach for that first. This is more of an Imperial Red IPA, where I prefer the more lesser-hopped American barley wine versions of the style.